The success of many of our recreation and environmental programs depends on the volunteer efforts of the members of our community. If you're looking for a way to make a difference, meet new people or expand a hobby, there are many different ways you can participate to match your skills or areas of interest.

How to Volunteer

View the volunteer opportunity descriptions to see what suits you best. Maybe you have an interest in helping others, want to learn more about the community or meet other friendly, helpful people. We welcome:

• Students (volunteer hours may apply to service learning project hours for high school or college credit or complete an internship)
• Adults/Seniors
• Students
• Groups/Corporations
• Non-profit Organizations and Agencies

To volunteer, print and complete the Volunteer Application or Golf Volunteer Application and return it to:

Oakland County Parks
Volunteer Coordinator
2800 Watkins Lake Road
Waterford, MI 48328

Once received, we will contact you to discuss the potential of a volunteer placement. If an appropriate placement can not be arranged at that time, we will keep your application on file up to one year. As opportunities become available, we will notify you.

To speak to a volunteer coordinator, call 248-975-9717 or email volunteer@oakgov.com. Current Volunteers: Monthly Volunteer Time Sheet. (Please upgrade to latest version of Acrobat Reader to utilize this form.)

Volunteers Needed for These Events

April 20, 21, and 22
Oakland Edge Adult Hockey Tournament
Oakland Edge is the Onyx ice Arena, in Rochester Hills
Evening and Afternoon Shifts
Volunteers needed to assist with registration of players, distributing souvenirs, set-up and clean up. 6-8 volunteers needed for each shift. Shifts are 4-6 hours in length. All volunteers will receive free food and souvenirs for their service. To volunteer or more information, contact: Julie Skene at skenej@oakgov.com or 248-858-5437

June 30
North American Butterfly Association Count
Independence Oaks County Park
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Join natural resource education staff, members from the Oakland Audubon Society and butterfly experts to catch and count butterflies.  Plan to walk a few miles and be prepared to walk off trail.   This count is part North American Butterfly Association’s annual Butterfly Count.  Experts will help with identification and provide participants with information on the butterflies seen. Your participation helps natural resource management at Oakland County Parks and Recreation. Bring a net and water.  Meet at the Camp Wilderness parking lot at Independence Oaks.  To volunteer or more information, contact: Kathleen Dougherty at 248-858-0704 or doughertyk@oakgov.com

Sept. 8
Clean Up the Clinton River Watershed
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks county parks

Help keep the Clinton River Watershed free of litter and debris.  Join in a community clean up at both Orion Oaks & Independence Oaks County Parks. Meet at the Lake Sixteen Boat Launch Parking Lot on Joslyn Road at Orion Oaks and the Boathouse at Independence Oaks. Some kayaks and canoes, along with all safety equipment, will be available, or you may bring your own kayak.
   
Details and registration: Kathleen Dougherty, 248-858-0704 or doughertyk@oakgov.com.

Volunteer Opportunities throughout the parks system:

Adaptive Recreation
Assist in hosting special, sport and social events for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.  Activities include special events/socials and teaching and adapting sports skills for individuals with disabilities.

New! Adopt-a-Natural Area
Assist natural resources staff by adopting a natural area at your favorite park and participating in seasonal stewardship activities.

Annual clean up days
Help beautify the parks by collecting debris, pulling invasive species or other cleaning/maintenance tasks.
Administrative Assistance
Available at most park locations. Duties vary at each site, but may include preparation of craft materials and items for special events, assistance with mailings, and photography.

Bicycle Motocross (BMX)
Track maintenance begins in April. Assist in the weekly operation of BMX by providing technical assistance at practices and races. Duties include bike inspection, registration, scoring, staging, corner marshaling, and concessions.

NEW! Campground Hosts
Campground hosts assist campers by answering questions, explaining the rules in a pleasant and helpful manner, providing directions and assisting with check-in.  Volunteers may also help with the campground recreation program, maintenance of flower beds and restroom monitoring.

Campground Recreation 
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Assist with activities for campers at Addison and Groveland Oaks. Activities include arts and crafts, DJ dances, face painting, games, etc. Theme weekends include carnival, comedy fun day, July 4th festivities, blues bash and boo bash. Also volunteer to help set up, implement and clean up one-day special events. 
Dog Park (Lyon Oaks, Orion Oaks & Red Oaks)
Assist with one-day special events and annual clean-up days at three dog parks. During busy times, answer visitors’ general questions, distribute park materials, and report concerns or comments to park management.

Ellis Barn
Members of the 4-H Gardeners Restore Our World club (GROW) along with Michigan State Extension Service Master Gardeners, have taken on the project of establishing an 1800s Heritage Garden around the Ellis Barn. Assist with tours, educational programs and manning the antiques table during events.

Golf Courses
Starters, rangers, cart attendants and pro shop/phones assist at five golf courses.

NEW! Golf Programs
Assist with tournaments, leagues and special events.

Natural Resources and Interpretive Programs
Assist in conducting wildlife surveys and caring for park and natural areas, including monitoring bluebird, wood duck and bat boxes; invasive plant control and water quality surveys, native seed collection and more. Help with events and interpretive programs.

Nordic Ski Patrol
Provide the eyes and ears for the park on the trails during the ski season and ensure skiers safety. Must be able to cross-country ski and have outdoor emergency care course along with CPR. Available at Independence Oaks.

Oakland County Market
Helping with parking, assist market shoppers and more.

Oakland Owls
Be the eyes and ears at various parks and report concerns or comments to park management. May also assist parks staff with general clean-up and enhancement programs.

Senior Recreation
Assist with athletic programs and seasonal park tours.

Special Events
Assist with one-day events, including mountain bike races, fishing events, Hidden Forest trail run, Halloween events, waterpark special events and senior days.

New! Special Projects
Assist with various small park improvement and maintenance projects.

Trails
Assist with construction of hiking, biking or equestrian trails; trail clean-up and maintenance; or with special trail-related events.

NEW! Volunteer Walk Assistant
Co-lead organized hikes in various county parks.

Water Resources Commissioner's Office
Assist with Adopt-a-Stream (stream monitoring and clean-ups), and cooperative lakes monitoring. Details:  248-858-0958.

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

The Michigan Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension in Oakland County.  An interest in plants, a personal commitment to volunteerism and an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge with others are the only prerequisites for application. Applicants attend classes learning basic horticultural principles and environmentally sound gardening practices.  They then provide a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service to their community.
Oakland County offers a daytime session in the fall (August-November) or an evening session in the winter (January-April).  Each session is 13 weeks and held in Waterford. Contact Linda Smith at 248-858-0887 for an application or information.